Sunday, September 2, 2012

(Crisis Magazine) Here
we have two recent Cathedrals of similarly grand scale and with
contrasting architectures. The juxtaposition of the two styles makes an
interesting case study for the “traditional versus modernist” debate
over which architectural style is most appropriate for worship. Debates
of this kind usually begin over obvious characteristics of style. But
following a close examination of these two buildings, the less obvious
elements turn out to reverse first impressions. The issue then becomes
very complicated, and, in my opinion, far more revealing than a
superficial debate based upon style. This discussion brings up issues on
today’s approach to church planning. First a disclaimer: I have visited
neither building in person, yet that is the only sure way of
experiencing a structure. For this reason, my review is bound to be
incomplete and partial.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, by Ziegler-Cooper
Architects, is in obviously traditional style. This is an accepted
tendency in many post-war churches, with a high, open, vertical
entrance. It is an excellent idea to use, or rather, re-use traditional
typologies for the ancient act of worship. Those who support tradition
over innovation in Church architecture (and in the Church itself) see no
need for any further justification. The human being is tied to God
through ritual over millennia, and the best architectural solutions are
those developed over time. An intelligent and sensitive architect can
use them in a contemporary context with great success, and that is what
has been achieved here. Tried-and-true methods are used to design a
building that is solid on tradition, reassuring in presenting the Church
of tradition to the faithful.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, by Skidmore Owings
& Merrill Architects, is a postmodernist innovation, expressing new
forms and typologies. It presents one of many possible answers to the
question of “how can we extend the traditional ecclesiastical typology
using new methods?” At first glance, it is a very successful innovation
indeed, creating space, light, and a feeling of openness, as an
attractive alternative to neo-traditional designs. The materials are
certainly innovative and play a major role in the impression the
worshiper experiences inside the Cathedral. The Church is pressured both
by its members and by its administration to appear innovative and not
retrograde, so such a commission is seen as an advance in the
sponsorship of contemporary forms for Church architecture.

There the matter would stand in a limited but superficial comparison:
a traditional building versus an innovative building. Both would appear
to work well, and if they were not separated by such a great distance,
they could offer a choice to churchgoers who had the corresponding
philosophy of their own, namely traditional versus contemporary. But
things are not so simple. Let us look at the details and interior
spaces.

The Houston Cathedral has an unexpectedly non-traditional aspect when
examined more closely. It feels like a building from the Vienna
Secession: rich materials, yes, but also planes that are not filled in,
and abstraction in its volumes. This is not a traditional building by
far. It is not a Cathedral that any of my friends who design traditional
churches would have built. They would have stuck to more of a
traditional style in all the details (with magnificent results by the
way). Here, instead the architects have achieved a harmonious result by
pushing traditional typologies and ornamentation as far toward modernism
as is possible to go without losing everything. We are reminded of the
Vienna Secession and Art Deco, that glorious flowering of innovative
architecture just before architects eliminated every vestige of
tradition (and most of the architectural rules that touch us in a
healing manner). I am forced to revise my initial hasty opinion and
declare this building highly innovative. The innovation is employed to
give a very positive impression: this is the reason the building looks
comfortable; it looks traditional even when it is actually not. I am
impressed by the result and warn other observers not to be taken in by a
superficial judgment.

This building is “modern” in every positive meaning of the word. I
caution, however, that it comes close to being “cold” in those places
where its approach to abstraction is the strongest. What could have been
done to improve the Houston Cathedral? The answer is obvious, although
not implemented. My friends would have put in those smaller details that
come from traditional ornamentation at the smallest scales, even if
very restrained. Or its architects could have devised their own form
language on those small ornamental scales. The eye needs ordered
structure just a little larger than the rich granularity in the natural
materials, and that is missing here in some places. By imposing
restrictions in its form language on the smaller scales, the hierarchy
is lost going down to details.

Harmonious ornamentation achieved through multiple symmetries
nourishes our senses and creates in us a healing state. As human beings,
we always anthropomorphize our gods, and expect that they share our own
higher pleasures. For this reason, our love of God moves us to ornament
the place where we worship, and to do so in a totally selfless manner.
We wish to create an environment of maximal transcendent pleasure using
an understanding that arises from our own physical experience... (continued)

1 comment:

Could you please get in touch with Father Levis and let him know that his friend and EWTN Q & A backup Andy Piacente aka Doria2 has passed away. His wife Marie just emailed to say her husband passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and as recently as a few weeks ago was still fighting for the Faith with his emails. Thank you.

“How many voices in our materialist society tell us that happiness is to be found by acquiring as many possessions and luxuries as we can? But this is to make possessions into a false god. Instead of bringing life, they bring death.”- Pope Benedict XVI

"This past Wednesday I was in part of the hospital that was devoted to people who have memory problems like my father. The people here may have no idea who I am but they light up at the sight of a collar. People who cannot carry on a conversation click “on” and join in prayer as if there were little wrong with them, their faces relaxing in this moment of peace amidst the chaos of illness."- Fr. Valencheck

"The priest's life is not his own. He does not live it for himself and his personal fulfillment, but for the salvation of souls."- Fr. Richtsteig

"I am convinced that if we simply follow the liturgical books, say the texts and carry out the gestures properly, in a style continuous with our tradition, the Church’s liturgy has power the capture minds and hearts and transform them.

I starting forming this conviction before I became a Catholic through my experience of Novus Ordo Masses done in an entirely Roman traditional style, closely following the books.

The late Msgr. Richard Schuler would eventually articulate to me in words what I was experiencing in the church. "Just do what the Council asked… do what the Church asks."

Why is worship well executed according to the mind of the Church so effective?

Christ is the true Actor in the sacred action of the Church’s worship. He makes our hands and voices His own as He raises our petitions and offerings to the Father for His glory and our salvation.

Christ’s Holy Church has determined the way by which we may have this encounter with mystery in the liturgy, be taken up in the sacred action.

Although we have the right to our Rite celebrated as the Church desires, liturgy is not about me or us or even you in the pews." - Fr. Zuhlsdorf

"After celebrating Mass facing the Lord I can report these favorable effects from the priest's point of view:

1. I don't have to worry about where to look
2. I don't have to worry about what my face looks like
3. I can weep at the beauty and wonder of it all without concern
4. I can worship more freely and fully
5. I feel more at one with the people of God
6. I am on a journey to God with the people
7. I am not the focus of attention
8. The elevation of the host and the Ecce Agnus Dei have become more of a focus
9. I feel more part of the great tradition
10. I can't see who's not paying attention and feel I have to do something to get their attention back." - Fr. Longenecker

"My rector in Denver, when he was a young priest, was eating dinner at his secretary's house, a widow from Sicily. Thinking he was polite he said, 'If you wish you can call me Michael.' She stopped, put her hand on her hip, and, pointing at him with her wooden spoon, said, 'Don't think I call you Father because I think you're better than me! I call you Father to remind you who you're supposed to be and how you're going to be judged by our Lord!' He passes that lesson on to all his seminarians."- Fr. Andrew

Decalogue Against Temptation

1. Do not forget that the devil exists.
2. Do not forget that the devil is a tempter.
3. Do not forget that the devil is very intelligent and astute.
4. Be vigilant concerning your eyes and heart. Be strong in spirit and virtue.
5. Believe firmly in the victory of Christ over the tempter.
6. Remember that Christ makes you a participant in His victory.
7. Listen carefully to the word of God.
8. Be humble and love mortification.
9. Pray without flagging.
10. Love the Lord your God and offer worship to Him only.